"An opinion may be controverted; a prejudice, never." - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach
An opinion is changeable but a prejudice is unchangeable. So first impression really counts.

"All thinking men are atheists" - Ernest Hemingway
People who are smart don't rely on religions for answers.

"Several excuses are always less convincing than one." - Aldous Huxley
Making several excuses are unconvincing because they are usually seen as lies.